ZIF PGA socket

Abstract

A ZIF socket includes a cover slidably engaged with a base to which a cam is pivotably connected. The cam is selectively rotated in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction thereby driving the cover to move laterally in opposite directions with respect to the base. The rotational plane of the cam is substantially parallel to the plane of movement of the cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ZIF socket comprising a longitudinal base, a cover slidably engaging with the base, and an actuation device pivotably fixed to the base for actuating the cover to move laterally with respect to the base; the cover defining a hole bound by at least a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall;   the actuation device having a cam including a forward driving portion and a backward driving portion opposite the forward driving portion and adapted to be movably received in the hole of the cover when the cover slidably engages with the base;   whereby the forward driving portion contacts and drives the first wall of the cover to move laterally in a first direction when the cam is selectively rotated clockwise and whereby the backward driving portion contacts and drives the second wall of the cover to move laterally in a second direction opposite the first direction when the cam is selectively rotated counterclockwise.   
     
     
       2. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam has a pivot projecting therefrom and a pivotal recess is defined in a bottom of the groove for pivotably receiving the pivot of the cam. 
     
     
       3. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wall of the cover is an oblique-step edge portion intermediate two straight walls binding a portion of the hole of the cover. 
     
     
       4. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 3, wherein the forward driving portion of the cam is a face mating with the oblique-step edge portion of the cover whereby the oblique-step edge portion slides along the forward driving portion when the cover is driven to move in the first direction by the cam. 
     
     
       5. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 4, wherein the backward driving portion of the cam is substantially a sharp portion opposite the forward driving portion. 
     
     
       6. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a block projecting from the cover and having one side wall thereof extending from the first wall of the hole of the cover. 
     
     
       7. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a handle extending from the cam. 
     
     
       8. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 7, wherein a groove of the base is bound by a partial rectangular wall, a pair of parallel walls extending from the rectangular wall, and a pair of diverging walls extending from the parallel walls to an edge of the base. 
     
     
       9. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cam is engaged with the handle by die casting. 
     
     
       10. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the handle of the actuation device is made of metal. 
     
     
       11. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cam is engaged with the handle by insert molding. 
     
     
       12. The ZIF socket as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cam is interferentially engaged with the handle. 
     
     
       13. A ZIF socket comprising a longitudinal base, a cover slidably engaging with the base, and an actuation device pivotably fixed to the base for actuating the cover to move laterally with respect to the base; the cover defining a hole bound by at least a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall;   the actuation device having a cam including a forward driving portion and a backward driving portion opposite the forward driving portion and adapted to be movably received in the hole of the cover when the cover slidably engages with the base, the forward driving portion having a planar contact with the first wall to drive the first wall of the cover to move laterally in a first direction when the cam is rotated clockwise, the backward driving portion having a linear contact with the second wall to drive the second wall of the cover to move laterally in a second direction opposite the first direction when the cam is selectively rotated counterclockwise; whereby a rotational plane of the cam is substantially parallel to a plane of movement of the cover.   
     
     
       14. A ZIF socket comprising a longitudinal base, a cover slidably engaging with the base, and a cam pivotably fixed to the base for actuating the cover to move laterally with respect to the base; the cover defining a hole bound by at least a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall;   the cam including a forward driving portion and a backward driving portion opposite the forward driving portion, and both the driving portions alternately and respectively driving the first wall and second wall of the hole of the cover to thus force the cover to move in opposite directions along a lengthwise axis of the longitudinal base when the cam is manually rotated in respective clockwise or counterclockwise direction, whereby a rotational plane of the cam is substantially parallel to a plane of movement of the cover.   
     
     
       15. A ZIF socket comprising a base (1), a cover (2) slidably engaging with the base (1), and an actuation device (3) pivotably fixed to one of said base (1) and said cover (2) for actuating the cover (2) to move laterally with respect to the base (1); a hole (20) formed in the other of said base (1) and said cover (2), and defining a first wall (22) and an opposite second wall (26);   the actuation device (3) having a cam (3A) including a forward driving portion (32) and backward driving portion (33) for respectively driving the first wall (22) and the second wall (26) to move in opposite directions; wherein at least one of said forward driving portion (32), said backward driving portion (33), said first wall (22) and said second wall (26) is of an oblique step type.     
     
     
       16. A ZIF socket comprising a base, a cover slidably engaging with the base, and an actuation device pivotably fixed to said base for actuating the cover to move laterally with respect to the base; a hole formed in said cover; and   the actuation device having a cam with a raised thickness for being received within the hole so as to be visibly exposed to an exterior.   
     
     
       17. The socket as claimed in claim 16, wherein said base includes a groove to receive a block downward extending from the cover. 
     
     
       18. The socket as claimed in claim 16, wherein the actuation device further includes a handle extending outwardly horizontally from the cam. 
     
     
       19. The socket as claimed in claim 18, wherein said handle further includes a distal end extending out of an edge of the base and exposed to an exterior for easy operation.